Cheltenham Festival 2023: Which Champions Are Returning?

The Cheltenham Festival 2023 is on the horizon so we thought we’d take a look at which of the 2022 winners might be back to defend their crowns.

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Cheltenham Festival 2023 Horses for Courses: Which Cheltenham Festival Winners Might Be Back To Defend Their Titles?

Cheltenham is often deemed a very good ‘horses for courses’ track with many winners coming back ‘year-after-year’ and showing a liking for the Prestbury Park venue.

With that in mind, let’s look if any of the 2022 Cheltenham Festival winners will be returning to the scene of their famous successes. (Note: Odds are subject to change).

Tuesday 14th March 2023

CORACH RAMBLER (Ultima Handicap Chase): @ 6/1 with BetUK

This Lucinda Russell-trained chaser won the Ultima Chase at 10/1 in 2022 and is entered to defend his crown. The 9 year-old has not won a race since, but Corach Rambler has only been out twice and will be returning this year off a 6lbs higher rating. Un Temps Pour Tout won this race back-to-back in 2016 and 2017.

MARIE’S ROCK (Mares’ Hurdle): @ 5/2 with BetUK

Marie’s Rock showed all her ‘girl power’ to win the Mares’ Hurdle 12 months ago and holds an entry for the race again. However, it’s worth noting that she’s also engaged in the Stayers’ Hurdle (Thurs 16th March) and this is likely to be her preferred target. If, she does run here though, would be looking to become the first back-to-back winner since Quevega. This Willie Mullins mare won the race 6 times between 2009 and 2014.

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Wednesday 15th March 2023

ENERGUMENE (Champion Chase): @ 2/1 with BetUK

The Willie Mullins yard won the Champion Chase for the first time in 2022 with Energumene. Since his win in this race 12 months ago he’s won at Cork and Punchestown but was only third in the Clarence House Chase last time. He’s likely to be a warm order still, in what looks a three-way battle with last year’s Arkle Chase winner – Edwardstone and Editeur Du Gite. Altior (2018/2019) was the last horse to win the Champion Chase two seasons in-a-row.

DELTA WORK (Cross Country Chase): @ 11/10 with BetUK

Last season’s Grand National third Delta Work also won the Cross Country Chase last year and is one of the Cheltenham Festival bankers to win again. 12 months ago, he broke the hearts of Tiger Roll backers, when beating the multiple-Festival winner into second. Delta Work was third in the Cross-Country race on Trials Day in January, but off level weights now will be the one to beat. The already-mentioned Tiger Roll was the last ‘back-to-back’ winner of this race (2018/2019)

GLOBAL CITIZEN (Grand Annual Chase): @ 22/1 with BetUK

Global Citizen won the Grand Annual at 28/1 last year and holds an entry again in 2023. This Ben Pauling runner is only rated 3lbs higher but is no spring chicken at 11 years-old now. We did, however, see a 12 year-old winner in 2019 (Croco Bay), while Global Citizen would be looking to become the first repeat winner since Dulwich – who won the 1974 and 1976 renewals (was no race in 1975)

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Thursday 16th March 2023

FLOORING PORTER (Stayers’ Hurdle): @ 6/1 with BetUK

Flooring Porter has in fact won the last two runnings of the Stayers’ Hurdle, so is on for a famous three-timer. This Gavin Cromwell runner has not had the ideal preparation for his second title defence after getting injured after his last run in December. He’s not won since taking this contest 12 months ago (3 runs) but does seem to save his best for the Cheltenham track. He’s likely to make a bold bid from the front again. Will be looking to become the first three-time winner since Big Buck’s, who won the race four times between 2009-2012.

COOLE CODY (NH Plate Chase): @ 25/1 with BetUK

Coole Cody defied his age to win this race as an 11 year-old last season and could be back at 12. He won at Ascot in November to show he still loves his racing and is back here off a 2lbs lower rating (143). Was last seen though well back in the field on Trials Day here – with El Ridoto 41 lengths ahead of him that day.

CHAMBARD (Kim Muir Chase): @ 25/1 with BetUK

Chambard was a 40/1 winner of the Kim Muir last year and could be back at the age of 11 to defend his crown. This Venetia Williams runner is rated just 3lbs higher this time and having been fourth last time out at Exeter will like the return to this longer trip. But the last ‘back-to-back’ Kim Muir winner was in 1985/1986. A horse called Glyde Court.

Friday 17th March 2023

A PLUS TARD (Gold Cup): @ 7/1 with BetUK

A Plus Tard gave trainer Henry De Bromhead his second Gold Cup winner in as many years last year and will be a popular pick again. The horse will have likely 2023 Gold Cup favourite – Galopin Des Champs – to beat, but won this by 15 lengths last season. Has had his issues this term after last seen being pulled up in the Betfair Chase at Haydock. However, is reported to be back on-song for his Gold Cup title defence. The last Gold Cup back-to-back winner was Al Boum Photo in 2019 and 2020. While before that, it was Best Mate (2002 to 2004) who successfully defended his crown.

BILLAWAY (Foxhunters’ Chase): @ 7/1 with BetUK

Billaway is as consistent as they come and after being a close second in the 2021 Foxhunters’ Chase went one better in 2022. The Willie Mullins runner is likely to be a big fancy again in the Friday race. He will be looking to follow in the hoof-prints of Salsify, On The Fringe and Pacha Du Polder, who won this race twice since 2012.

ELIMAY (Mares’ Chase): @ 20/1 with BetUK

Elimay won the Mares’ Chase in 2022 but has rather lost her way since – being well beaten the last twice. She’s from the Willie Mullins yard though, so can’t be ruled out, with the stable having won both runnings of this ‘female only’ contest. Mullins does, however, have the better-fancied Allegorie De Vassy in the race, who looks their better hope of carrying on the good stable record in the race.

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Cheltenham Festival 2023: Who Are The Current Champs Coming Back To Defend Their Crowns?

Andy Newton

Cheltenham Festival 2023 Horses for Courses: Which Cheltenham Festival Winners Might Be Back To Defend Their Titles?

Tuesday 14th March 2023

CORACH RAMBLER (Ultima Handicap Chase): @ 6/1 with BetUK

MARIE’S ROCK (Mares’ Hurdle): @ 5/2 with BetUK

Wednesday 15th March 2023

ENERGUMENE (Champion Chase): @ 2/1 with BetUK

DELTA WORK (Cross Country Chase): @ 11/10 with BetUK

GLOBAL CITIZEN (Grand Annual Chase): @ 22/1 with BetUK

Thursday 16th March 2023

FLOORING PORTER (Stayers’ Hurdle): @ 6/1 with BetUK

COOLE CODY (NH Plate Chase): @ 25/1 with BetUK

CHAMBARD (Kim Muir Chase): @ 25/1 with BetUK

Friday 17th March 2023

A PLUS TARD (Gold Cup): @ 7/1 with BetUK

BILLAWAY (Foxhunters’ Chase): @ 7/1 with BetUK

ELIMAY (Mares’ Chase): @ 20/1 with BetUK

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Andy Newton

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